Power to the People with Minigrids: Innovative Technologies and Investment Strategies that are Bringing Solar Energy to Rural Communities

Originally aired September 11, 2019

Today 1.06 billion people — roughly 20% of the world population — live without access to electricity, mostly in rural Sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia. Providing reliable and sustainable electricity brings profound benefits: light for studying, more reliable health care, improved family health, and safer communities. This webinar, presented by LightWorks at ASU and SSF, explores innovations in financing off-grid minigrid energy solutions in remote villages that can spark economic development and lead to sustainable rural energy markets.

Speakers

Nathan Johnson

Assistant Professor, The Polytechnic School, Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering, Arizona State University; Director, LEAPS Laboratory

Nathan Johnson is an Assistant Professor in The Polytechnic School of the Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering at Arizona State University, and Director of the ASU Laboratory for Energy And Power Solutions (LEAPS). He researches sustainable and resilient energy systems, designing, optimizing, building, and testing energy innovations to address challenges around the world. His team of 20 collaborates with universities, national laboratories, industry, and non-governmental organizations.

Erika Lovin

Mini-Grid Innovation Lab Lead, CrossBoundary Energy Access

Erika Lovin leads the Mini-Grid Innovation Lab, part of the CrossBoundary Energy Access team. In partnership with the Rockefeller Foundation, the Lab is testing business solutions for mini-grids based in Africa to provide more power, to more people, at less cost. Prior to CrossBoundary, she worked at the Gates Foundation on nutrition strategy and has gained experience in impact investing and on-the-ground operations addressing poverty alleviation.

Humphrey Wireko

Senior Associate, CrossBoundary Energy

Humphrey Wireko is a Senior Associate at CrossBoundary Energy, working on assessing energy investments in Africa to electrify rural communities. Prior to joining CrossBoundary, he worked at The Boston Consulting Group in Johannesburg, advising senior leaders across sectors ranging from mining to insurance. He has also worked at the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio, specializing in regulatory guidance on state-wide electric issues. Humphrey has worked in the United States, South Africa, Nigeria, and Zambia.

Sandra Kwak

CEO, 10Power

Sandra Kwak is the CEO of 10Power, which finances renewable energy projects in developing communities. She previously scaled AutoGrid from prototype to a global brand and co-founded energy efficiency company Powerzoa. She has also served as CEO of a software company and worked at Pacific Gas & Electric implementing the ClimateSmart program. Her career has focused on applying disruptive innovations to create a regenerative future.

George Ndubi

PowerGen Renewable Energy

George Ndubi represents PowerGen Renewable Energy, a leading private utility in Africa with over 50 micro-grids and hundreds of single off-taker systems deployed. He discusses technical innovations that make the business models work for bringing reliable electricity to rural communities.